NFL Player News

Wesco (leg) has been downgraded to doubtful to return versus the Packers on Sunday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Wesco was initially deemed questionable to return after being forced out with a leg injury early in the first quarter, and it appears he'll likely remain out for the remainder of the game. The 27-year-old has caught just two of his four passes for 26 yards so far this season, so his absence shouldn't make much of an impact in Chicago's passing game.

Wesco is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Packers with a leg injury.

Wesco went down on the opening drive of the game and had to be helped off the field by members of Chicago's training staff, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. In his absence, expect Ryan Griffin to step in as the No. 2 tight end behind Cole Kmet.

Cager (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Commanders.

Cager will be the odd man out with Daniel Bellinger (eye) returning from a multi-week absence. His next opportunity to play will be Week 14 against the Eagles.

Bellinger (eye) is active for Sunday's game versus the Commanders.

After enduring a brutal fracture to his left eye socket back in Week 7 and undergoing surgery to repair it, Bellinger has progressed enough for the Giants to clear him to return. He'll thus miss four games as a result, and the team seemingly is confident he'll be able to handle most of the TE reps after making Lawrence Cager a healthy scratch Sunday. Prior to getting injured, Bellinger scored two touchdowns on 18 targets, four of which occurred in the red zone.

Trautman is likely to serve as the Saints' starting tight end in Monday's game at Tampa Bay with Juwan Johnson (ankle) listed as out for the contest.

New Orleans could elevate one or both of J.P. Holtz or Lucas Krull from the practice squad before Monday, but at the moment, Trautman and Taysom Hill are the only healthy tight ends on the active roster. Considering that the jack-of-all-trades Hill has lined up as a receiver or in-line tight end on just 91 of his 195 snaps on offense this season, Trautman looks like the better bet to step into Johnson's role as the Saints' top pass-catching tight end. Trautman hasn't logged more than three targets in any game this season and would still represent little more than a dart throw at the position for fantasy managers who are lacking appealing alternatives.

Knox failed to haul in his only target during Thursday's win over the Patriots.

Knox has had a disappointing season, but this was the first time he's been shut out completely, and the single target also represents a season low. Knox hasn't seen the end zone since Week 8, as the potent offense continues to focus around other players. Knox is too good of a player to not have his moments before the season closes, but he's also becoming tough to rely upon, as the last two weeks have shown.

The Giants waived Hudson on Saturday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

In a corresponding move, Nick Vannett was signed to the active roster. Hudson was in the midst of a season during which he posted career highs in targets, receptions and receiving yards, but he'll now become an unrestricted free agent, assuming he isn't claimed by another team during the current waiver period.

The Giants signed Vannett to their active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus Washington, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

With starting tight end Daniel Bellinger (eye) listed as questionable for Week 13, the Giants saw fit to add Vannett to the 53-man roster to provide some depth at the position. He has two catches for 13 yards on two targets through three games in 2022.

Johnson (ankle) has been ruled out and will not play Monday against the Buccaneers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson never managed to practice this week, so it's not entirely surprising to see the touchdown threat sidelined. Expect Adam Trautman to see an increase in snaps while Taysom Hill will continue his usual multi-position production.

Horsted (concussion) will not play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.

No surprise here, as Horsted was unable to practice all week. In his absence, Jacob Hollister will be the primary backup behind Foster Moreau at tight end.